At New Copford Place, our Colchester-based residential care home, the residents and care team have been celebrating their win at this year’s Copford and Easthorpe Scarecrow Festival.
The care team – with creative input from the residents – designed and brought to life ‘Marilyn’, New Copford Place’s very own scarecrow. “We chatted about the Scarecrow Festival with the residents and they were very keen to participate,” said Chelsey Leather, the care home’s Activities Coordinator. “Once we’d all decided to enter, the next task was to agree on what type of scarecrow we should create – and of course – its name.”
During an Arts and Crafts session, Chelsey asked the residents for their thoughts and ideas as to what type of scarecrow the care home should enter. “There was quite a conversation about it,” continued Chelsey. “The suggestions included recreating a few famous scarecrows – the loveable scarecrow who didn’t have a brain from The Wizard of Oz, Worzel Gummidge, Aunt Sally and Dolly Clothes-Peg. However, after a chat, everyone decided we should make our own, unique New Copford Place Scarecrow, and as our residents love films, ‘Marilyn’ – who is loosely based on Marilyn Monroe – was voted the winning idea.”
Once her torso, head and facial features were complete, the care team wasted no time in getting ‘Marilyn’ ready for her big day. Dressed in a pretty pink and grey flowery dress, a pink cardigan, elegant sandals plus a pearl bracelet, Marilyn was ‘ready for her close-up’.
“We all thought ’Marilyn’ looked great,” said Daniel Sabau, the Registered Manager at New Copford Place. “The Judges agreed as she scooped two prizes – First Place in the Peoples’ Choice Scarecrow Award, and Joint Second Place in the Business Scarecrow Award category. We are so pleased that ‘Marilyn’ did so well, she even celebrated her success with a glass of wine. She was definitely ‘outstanding in her field.’”
Scarecrows have been part of farming heritage for many years. Their useful and everyday purpose in fields was, and still is, to scare away birds which might otherwise eat seeds or damage young crops, especially during the harvest period. Over 3,000 years ago, Egyptian farmers used scarecrows to protect their crops from flocks of Quail, the ancient Greeks and Romans followed, using statues of their gods in their fields to frighten away birds.
“In Europe, scarecrows have been linked to the supernatural boogeyman, a monster who is often depicted in tattered clothing,” added Chelsey. “However, ‘Marilyn’ was far from scary, she was very relaxed and enjoyed being the centre of attention for the day.
“The residents were very proud of ‘Marilyn’ and have already said they’d like to create another scarecrow for next year’s Festival. Next year will be the 16th year of the Copford and Easthorpe Scarecrow Festival so perhaps we’ll keep with the movie theme and create Strawlock Holmes,” concluded Chelsey.
Find out more about New Copford Place care home by calling 01206 210 397 or emailing enquiries@fote.org.uk.